A pair of silver-plated bronze candlesticks from the Louis XVI period—18th century.

An elegant pair of Louis XVI-period candlesticks, made of finely chased and silver-plated bronze, dating from the last third of the 18th century, circa 1775–1785.

This model is distinguished by its beautiful proportions, the richness of its neoclassical ornamentation, and the particularly meticulous quality of its chasing, which highlights the various decorative elements.

Resting on a wide circular base, each candlestick features a border adorned with bundles of reeds bound by leaf-shaped clasps, evoking the lictor’s fasces of Roman antiquity. This decoration is surmounted by moldings and rows of beads that highlight the base of the bell.

The bell, which flares widely, is crisscrossed by radiating flutes from which stylized ears of wheat descend from their upper ends. This same plant motif is found on the truncated conical shaft, whose long flutes are adorned, at their base, with ears of wheat rising vertically.

In its upper section, the shaft is embellished with bundles of rushes held in place by ribbons, ensuring ornamental continuity with the decoration at the base. It supports an ovoid vase, adorned with alternating godrons and accented by beaded moldings. The ensemble is crowned by a finial holding a removable candlestick base, also adorned with a row of pearls.

This rich decorative repertoire, combining lictor’s fasces, ears of wheat, fluting, godrons, and pearls, perfectly illustrates the Neoclassical taste that developed during the reign of Louis XVI, marked by a return to forms and ornamentation inspired by Antiquity. The ears of wheat, traditionally associated with Ceres, the Roman goddess of the harvest, evoke abundance and prosperity in particular.

The quality of the craftsmanship deserves special attention. The ornamentation has undergone meticulous re-chiseling, which has served to highlight the backgrounds, define the contours of the foliage and ears of wheat, and accentuate the reliefs. This delicate treatment lends the decoration great clarity and remarkable definition.

The manufacturing technique also attests to the craftsmanship of 18th-century bronze casters. The shaft and the upper vase form a single unit made of two longitudinal sections of cast bronze, which were then joined using metallurgical techniques and carefully reworked with a chisel before being silver-plated. The joint lines, still visible on the inside, reveal this distinctive construction feature.

The candlesticks consist of several elements assembled using a screw-fastening system and can be completely disassembled, in accordance with traditional manufacturing techniques for this type of object.

This pair, preserved with its removable candle holders, displays a beautiful decorative unity and a silver plating with an antique patina, whose nuances pleasantly highlight the depth of the chiseling.

A very beautiful example of Louis XVI-era candlesticks, combining elegant proportions, a rich neoclassical style, and high-quality bronze craftsmanship.

Dimensions:
- Height: 28.5 cm
- Base diameter: 14.2 cm

Ref: J4YS031KDX